Systems and methods utilizing a ball including one or more sensors to improve pitching performance

ABSTRACT

A ball, and in particular a baseball or softball, including one or more sensors such as accelerometers and/or inertial measurement units, and systems and methods using the same to improve a pitcher&#39;s pitching performance are described herein. In some embodiments, the ball may include one or more inertial measurement units and/or accelerometers capable of monitoring motion of the ball while it is thrown. Once a ball is thrown, in response to the inertial measurement unit(s) and/or accelerometer(s), one or more indicators may be caused to perform an action. For example, one or more user interfaces may be used to display graphs for illustrating a trajectory of a ball after it has been thrown. Various statistics, such as velocity, a change in vertical displacement, a change in horizontal displacement, and a spin rate may also be indicated on the user interface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/731,024, which was filed on Jun. 4, 2015, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments described herein generally relate to a ball, and inparticular a baseball or softball, including one or more sensors such asaccelerometers and/or inertial measurement units, and systems andmethods using the same to improve a pitcher's pitching performance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Baseball, although commonly referred to as “America's Past time”, is asport that is played worldwide. From children playing little leaguebaseball to adults playing professional baseball, the sport of baseballis played across an incredibly large age group. Baseball is also playedacross a broad socioeconomic and cultural spectrum, as is evident by thenumber of professional baseball players originating from variouscountries worldwide. Similarly, softball is another sport that issubstantially similar to baseball in spirit, albeit a differently sizedball and field is used.

In recent years, baseball has been hampered by a rash of arm injuriessuffered by pitchers, the exact cause(s) of which are still unknown. Onepredominate theory is incorrect biomechanics. Developed at an early age,incorrect pitching and throwing mechanics may cause unwanted andunsustainable torques and pressures on various ligaments and bones of anindividual's throwing arm. Another somewhat related theory focuses onoveruse by individuals at a young age. When individuals become oldenough to compete at a high level, their throwing arms have beencompromised due to the prolonged abuse and/or overuse of their throwingarm. With this particular theory, incorrect biomechanics may furtherexacerbate the problem, as the arm is even more likely to becomedamaged.

While there exist many baseball training aids, as well as other sportrelated training aids (e.g., football, basketball, and soccer), eachhave various drawbacks and flaws. For example, the various football,basketball, and soccer training aids currently available are unable toprovide the unique feel and control of a baseball. While each of theaforementioned can be thrown, a user is unable to modify which pitch isbeing thrown by each due to the different size and/or shape of eachsports ball. Furthermore, because the various training aids for othersports are not capable of helping an individual learn to correctly throwvarious types of baseball pitches, the option to change a type of pitchthat is being thrown, and learn to correctly throw that baseball pitch,is not available with current training aids for other sports.

Thus, it would beneficial for there to be devices, systems, and methodsfor using a ball, such as a baseball or softball, including one or moresensors to improve an individual's pitching performance. Furthermore, itwould be beneficial for such a ball, and a system using the ball, toprovide substantially immediate feedback with regard to a quality of apitch that an individual is attempting to throw, as well as a mechanismto allow an individual to modify a type of pitch to be thrown using theball.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This generally relates to a ball, and in particular a baseball orsoftball, including one or more sensors, and systems and methods forusing the same to improve an individual's pitching performance andpitching capabilities.

In one exemplary embodiment, a ball is described. The ball may includean inner spherical portion and an outer spherical portion that surroundsthe inner spherical portion. The inner spherical portion, in someembodiments, may include at least one inertial measurement unit (“IMU”),at least one processor, and communications circuitry. In someembodiments, additional components, such as one or more accelerometersor sensors, memory, and/or a power source, may be included within theinner spherical portion of the ball. A first and second cover portion,which may be formed in a substantially figure eight pattern may bestitched together using a stitching material such that the first andsecond cover portions surround the outer spherical portion. In someembodiments, the ball may include at least one indicator, such as anilluminating element, transmitter, and/or audio producing element.

In another exemplary embodiment, another ball is described. The ball, insome embodiments, includes an inner spherical portion including at leastone IMU. A first cover portion and a second cover portion each shaped ina substantially figure-eight pattern are included that cover the innerspherical portion. A stitching material is also included that forms aplurality of stitches holding the first cover portion and the secondcover portion together. The stitching material further includes anilluminating material that is operable to turn a first color in responseto the at least one IMU detecting a predefined motion, and turn a secondcolor in response to the at least one IMU not detecting the predefinedmotion.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, a ball is described. The ball mayinclude an inner spherical portion including at least one inertialmeasurement unit (“IMU”), at least one processor, and communicationscircuitry. The ball may also include an outer spherical portion thatsurrounds the inner spherical portion. In some embodiments, the ballincludes a first cover portion including a first illuminating elementand a second cover portion including a second illuminating element. Aplurality of stitches may join the first and second cover portionstogether such that the first and second cover portions substantiallysurround the outer spherical portion.

In still another exemplary embodiment, a method for providing feedbackto an individual throwing a ball is described. In some embodiments, aselection of a type of pitch for the ball to be thrown as may bereceived, and at least one parameter corresponding to the selected typeof pitch the ball will be thrown as may be obtained. At least one sensorlocated within the ball may be monitored, and a determination may bemade when the at least one sensor detects the at least one parametercorresponding to the selected type of pitch. In response to the at leastone parameter being detected, at least one illuminating element locatedon a surface of the ball may be caused to turn a first color.

In still yet another exemplary embodiment, a system for assisting anindividual attempting to correctly throw a type of pitch is described.The system may include a ball and a user device. The ball, in someembodiments, includes at least one IMU, at least one accelerometer, atleast one baseball processor, first communications circuitry, and atleast one illuminating element. The user device, in some embodiments,includes second communication circuitry, memory, a display, and at leastone user device processor. The at least one user device processor may beoperable to receive a selection on the display of a type of pitch forthe ball to be thrown as. The processor may then retrieve, from the userdevice's memory, predefined threshold values for an amount of rotationand velocity for the selected type of pitch. Then, using the secondcommunications circuitry, the predefined threshold values for theselected type of pitch may be transmitted from the user device to thefirst communications circuitry of the ball.

In further still another exemplary embodiment, a system for tracking andmonitoring a motion of a ball is described. The system may include aball, a first detection unit, and a second detection unit. In someembodiments, the system may also include a user device. The ball mayinclude at least one sensor, at least one first processor, and firstcommunications circuitry. The first detection unit may be operable totrack the ball along a first plane and may be located proximate to arelease area for the ball, such as a pitcher's mound. The seconddetection unit may be operable to track the ball along a second plane,the second plane being perpendicular to the first plane, and the seconddetection unit being located proximate to a receiving area for the ball,such as home plate or a batter's box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present invention, its nature andvarious advantages will be more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative diagram of a ball in accordance with variousembodiments;

FIG. 2 is an illustrative diagram of a cross-sectional view of the ballof FIG. 1 in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 3 is an illustrative diagram of another ball in accordance withvarious embodiments;

FIG. 4 is an illustrative diagram of yet another ball in accordance withvarious embodiments;

FIGS. 5A-C are illustrative diagrams of a first and second cover portionfor a ball in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 6A is an illustrative diagram of a ball being used to throw a pitchin accordance with various embodiments;

FIGS. 6B and 6C are illustrative diagrams of a ball thrown correctly andincorrectly, respectively, and corresponding feedback provided by theball, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 7 is an illustrative diagram of a system including a user deviceand a ball in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 8 is an illustrative block diagram of a user device, such as theuser device of FIG. 7, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are illustrative diagrams of a ball oriented aboutvarious axes to describe a motion of the ball in accordance with variousembodiments;

FIG. 10 is an illustrative diagram of an exemplary user interface,displayed on a user device, describing a motion and statistics of a ballin accordance with various embodiments;

FIGS. 11A-D are illustrative diagrams of various exemplary userinterfaces, displayed on a user device, describing various statisticsfor a type of ball pitch thrown using a ball in accordance with variousembodiments;

FIG. 12 is an illustrative diagram of an exemplary user interfacedisplayed on a user device for creating parameters for a pitch to bethrown by a baseball in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 13 is an illustrative flowchart of an exemplary process forproviding feedback to a user throwing a ball in accordance with variousembodiments;

FIG. 14 is an illustrative flowchart of another exemplary process forproviding feedback to a user throwing a ball in accordance with variousembodiments;

FIG. 15 is an illustrative flowchart of an exemplary process forproviding parameters for a selected pitch to a ball in accordance withvarious embodiments;

FIG. 16 is an illustrative flowchart of an exemplary process fordetermining a release point of a ball in accordance with variousembodiments; and

FIG. 17 is an illustrative diagram of a system for tracking a ball beingthrown in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may take form in various components andarrangements of components, and in various techniques, methods, orprocedures and arrangements of steps. The referenced drawings are onlyfor the purpose of illustrated embodiments, and are not to be construedas limiting the present invention. Various inventive features aredescribed below that can each be used independently of one another or incombination with other features. Furthermore, in at least someembodiments, liked referenced numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is an illustrative diagram of a ball in accordance with variousembodiments. Ball 100 of FIG. 1 is an exemplary ball that may be used toaid an individual while attempting to learn and execute different typesof pitches. Ball 100 of FIG. 1 is, in one embodiment, substantiallysimilar in size, weight, and feel to that of a baseball used forprofessional baseball games. For example, a standard baseball typicallymay have a circumference between 9.00 and 9.25 inches, a mass between5.00 and 5.25 ounces, and a diameter between 2.86 and 2.94 inches. Thus,ball 100, in one embodiment, may have a substantially similar diameter,mass, and circumference. However, persons of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize that any diameter, mass, and weight may be used for ball100, and the aforementioned are merely exemplary. For example, ball 100may correspond, in some embodiments, to a softball. A typical softballmay have a circumference between 10.875 and 12.125 inches, a massbetween 5.875 and 7.000 ounces, and a diameter between 3.45 and 3.86inches. The specific parameters for the softball may vary depending onthe type of softball game being played. For instance, slow pitchsoftball may have a slightly heavier and larger softball, whereas fastpitch softball may use a slightly smaller and lighter softball. However,in at least one embodiment, other types of sports balls, such asfootballs, basketballs, tennis balls, soccer balls, golf balls, orbowling balls may be described by ball 100, and the aforementioned aremerely exemplary.

Ball 100, in some embodiments, includes a first cover portion 102 a anda second cover portion 102 b. Cover portions 102 a and 102 b, which aredescribed in greater detail below, may be substantially shaped in afigure-eight pattern such that, when sewn or stitched together, theysubstantially cover an inner portion of ball 100. In some embodiments,however, only one cover portion may be used to cover ball 100, so longas the single cover has a similar feel and appearance as if two coverportions were used instead. In other embodiments, however, more than twocover portions may be used to cover ball 100.

First and second cover portions 102 a and 102 b may be sewn or stitchedtogether using any suitable stitching material. For example, thestitching material may be a wool yarn, a waxed thread, a plastic, or anyother suitable material, or any combination thereof. In someembodiments, the stitching material may include an illuminating materialsuch that the stitching material turns one or more colors, as describedin greater detail below with regard to FIG. 3. A typical baseballincludes one hundred and eight (108) stitches 104 which connect firstcover portion 102 a and 102 b together such that substantially unitarycover surrounds any interior portion(s) of ball 100. A typical softball,however, may include eighty eight (88) stitches 104 connecting firstcover portion 102 a and 102 b together. In some embodiments, thestitching material may be red in color, however other colors, such asblack, gray, beige, or yellow, for example, may be used.

In some embodiments, ball 100 may include one or more illuminatingelements 120 and 122. For example, illuminating elements 120 and 122 maybe lights, light emitting diodes (“LEDs”), light emittingelectrochemical cells (“LECs”), fluorescent lamps, or any other type ofilluminating element, or any combination thereof. Illuminating elements120 and 122 may, in some embodiments, each only turn a certain color.For example, illuminating elements 120 may turn a first color, such asgreen, while illuminating elements 122 may turn a second color, such asred. However, in other embodiments, each of illuminating elements 120and 122 may be capable of turning to any suitable color or colors.

Illuminating elements 120 and 122 may, in some embodiments, be placedalong a seam 106 formed when first cover portion 102 a and second coverportion 102 b are stitched together. Illuminating elements 120 and 122may be evenly placed along seam 106 such that one or more ofilluminating elements 120 or 122 are located between each stitch 104.For example, illuminating element 120 may be placed between a first andsecond stitch, and an illuminating element 122 may then be placed inbetween the second stitch and a third stitch, followed by anotherinstance of illuminating element 120 between the third stitch and aforth stitch, and so on. As another example, illuminating element 120may be placed between a first and second stitch, and then noilluminating element may be placed between the second and third stitch,while illuminating element 122 may be placed between the third and afourth stitch, followed again by no illuminating element between thefourth and a fifth stitch, and so on. In some embodiments, one of eachof illuminating elements 120 and 122 may be placed between each stitch104. For example, between a first and second stitch 104 may be one ofilluminating elements 120 and 122, located on either side of seam 106.Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any suitablearrangement of illuminating elements 120 and 122 between stitches 104and along seam 106 may be used, and the aforementioned are merelyexemplary. Furthermore, depending on whether ball 100 corresponds to abaseball or a softball (or any additional sports ball), the number ofilluminating elements 120 and 122 will vary accordingly.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative diagram of a cross-sectional view of the ballof FIG. 1 in accordance with various embodiments. The cross-sectionalview of ball 100 of FIG. 2 is taken along line A-A of FIG. 1. As seen inFIG. 2, first and second cover portions 102 a and 102 b substantiallysurround an outer spherical portion 108 of ball 100. Seam 106 is formedat a junction of first cover portion 102 a and second cover portion 102b when stitched together by a stitching material. For example, stitch104 may couple first and second cover portions 102 a and 102 b together.In some embodiments, illuminating element 120 and/or illuminatingelement 122, may be located substantially along seam 106. For example,illuminating element 120 may be placed on an outer surface of coverportions 102 a and 102 b such that it resides substantially along seam106. In some embodiments, illuminating elements 120 and 122 may extendaway from cover portions 102 a and 102 b by a distance t2. Bycomparison, stitch 104 may extend away from cover portions 102 a and 102b by a distance t1. Distance t1 may be greater than or equal to distancet2 in some embodiments. By having illuminating elements 120 and 122lower as compared to stitch 104, an individual may be able to grip ball100 without feeling illuminating elements 120 and 122. This may allow anindividual to use ball 100 effectively as if it were a regular baseball.

Outer spherical portion 108, in some embodiments, is directly proximateto cover portions 102 a and 102 b, and resides between cover portions102 a, 102 b and inner spherical portion 118, which houses variouscomponents for ball 100. Outer spherical portion 108 may, in someembodiments, be made of any suitable material, such as a rubber, yarn,wood, plastic, and/or composite, or any other material, or anycombination thereof. Outer spherical portion 108 may serve multiplepurposes. For example, outer spherical portion 108 may serve as aprotective barrier for the various components housed within innerspherical portion 108, which are described in greater detail below.Outer spherical portion 108 may also serve to distribute mass for ball100 such that ball 100 has a suitable mass to replicate the weight andfeel of a real baseball. However, in some embodiments, outer sphericalportion 108 may not be included, and inner spherical portion 118 and/orcover portions 102 a, 102 b may have an increased thickness and/or massto accurately replicate the weight and feel of ball 100 to that of aregular baseball or softball.

Inner spherical portion 118 includes various components for ball 100such that it may be used to aid an individual in accurately throwing acertain type or types of baseball or softball pitches. In someembodiments, inner spherical portion may include one or more inertialmeasurement units 130 (“IMUs”), one or more accelerometers 132 (e.g.,multi-direction or uni-directional), memory 134, one or more processors136, and communications circuitry 138. Inner spherical portion 118 maybe a solid material, such as rubber, plastic, wood, or yarn, with one ormore cavities hollowed out to insert one or more of IMU(s) 130,accelerometer(s) 132, memory 134, processor(s) 136, and communicationcircuitry 138. In some embodiments, however, inner spherical portion 118may be substantially hollow. Components, such as IMU(s)) 130,accelerometer(s) 132, memory 134, processor(s) 136, and communicationcircuitry 138 may be affixed to an inner surface of inner sphericalportion 118, or affixed to a circuit board or substrate residing withinthe hollow cavity of inner spherical portion 118. However, persons ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that any suitable configurationof inner spherical portion 118 may be used such that ball 100 retainsthe overall weight and feel of a real baseball or softball.

IMUs 130 may detect any movement of ball 100 in any direction. IMUs 130may, in some embodiments, include one or more three-dimensional axesacceleration motion sensors, or accelerometers, capable of detectinglinear accelerations along three directions (e.g., x, y, and z axis;left/right, up/down, and forward/back). IMUs 130 may also include one ormore two-dimensional acceleration motion sensors operable to detectmotion along two directions (e.g., x and y-axes, x and z-axes, y andz-axes). IMUs 130 may include an electrostatic capacitance accelerometerbased on silicon micro-machined micro electro mechanical systems(“MEMS”) technology, a piezoelectric type accelerometer, apiezoresistance type accelerometer, or any other suitable accelerometer,or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, IMUs 130 may be capable of detecting rotation,rotational movement, angular displacement, tilt, yaw, roll, position,orientation, and motion along any path of ball 100. IMUs 130 may includelinear motion sensors and non-linear motion sensors operable to detectboth linear and non-linear motion of ball 100. In some embodiments, IMUs130 may compute a gravity vector, or any acceleration due to gravity ofball 100. IMUs 130 may also include one or more gyroscopes for detectingrotational movement or spin rates of ball 100. Persons of ordinary skillin the art will recognize that any suitable technology may be used forIMUs 130, and the aforementioned are merely exemplary.

Accelerometer(s) 132 may, in some embodiments, include any suitablesensor capable of detecting an acceleration about one or more axes thatball 100 may have motion along. For example, accelerometers 132 mayinclude a gravitational sensor, a linear motion sensor, a force sensor,a drag force sensor, and/or a Magnus force sensor. For example, a dragforce sensor may be capable of detecting an amount of resistive force,or drag, felt by ball 100 as it travels along its intended path. Asanother example, a Magnus force sensor may be capable of detecting anamount of lift or force due to air pressure difference about ball 100due to a rotation of ball 100. In some embodiments, IMUs 130, aspreviously described, may include one or more accelerometers such thatone or more of the listed accelerometers 132 may not need to beincluded. However, in some embodiments, ball 100 may include both IMUs130 and accelerometer(s) 132.

Memory 134 may include any suitable form of memory such as cache memory,semi-permanent memory (e.g., RAM), or any other memory type, or anycombination thereof. In some embodiments, memory 104 may be used inplace of and/or in addition to an external memory source or storage unitor device for storing data. Memory 134 may also include one or morestorage mediums including, but not limited to, hard drives, solid statedrives, flash memory, permanent memory (e.g., ROM), or any other storagetype or any combination thereof.

Processor(s) 136 may include any suitable processing circuitry capableof controlling operations of one or more components within ball 100. Insome embodiments, processor(s) 136 may facilitate communications betweenvarious components within ball 100. For example, processor(s) 136 mayreceive outputs from IMUs 130 and convey the outputs to communicationscircuitry 138. As another example, processor(s) 136 may receive outputsfrom IMUs 130 and, based on the outputs, transmit signals toilluminating elements 120 and/or 122 to turn a certain color.

Communications circuitry 138 may include any circuitry capable ofconnecting ball 100 with one or more devices (e.g., smart phones), oneor more networks (e.g., local area networks (“LAN”), wide area networks(“WAN”), point-to-point networks, etc.), and/or to one or more servers.Communications circuitry 138 may support any suitable communicationsprotocol including, but not limited to, Wi-Fi (e.g., 802.11 protocol),Bluetooth®, radio frequency systems (e.g., 900 MHz, 1.4 GHz, and 5.6 GHzcommunications systems), infrared, GSM, GSM plus EDGE, CDMA, quadband,VOIP, or any other communications protocol, or any combination thereof.

Ball 100 may also, in some embodiments, include power supply 140. Powersupply 140 may be any suitable source of power capable of providingpower or voltage to one or more components within ball 100. For example,power supply 140 may be a battery or capacitor operable to store voltageand produce a current to power one or more components within ball 100.

In some embodiments, ball 100 of FIG. 2 may include one or more pressuresensors that are capable of measuring and detecting an amount ofpressure applied to ball 100. For example, one or more pressure sensorsmay be located beneath cover portions 102 a and/or 102 b, or withininner spherical portion 118 or outer spherical portion 118. The pressuresensors may be used to determine when contact between a user's finger(s)and ball 100 exists and when it does not exist. For example, when apitch grips a baseball, such as ball 100, a certain amount of pressureis applied to various sections of ball 100 depending on the type ofpitch intended on being thrown. The pressure sensors are operable todetect when the user has applied pressure, when the user removespressure, and/or where and how much pressure the user has applied toball 100.

In some embodiments, in response to detecting that the pressure sensorsno longer detect any pressure on ball 100, processor(s) 136 may capturean output from IMU(s) 130 and/or accelerometer(s) 132. For example, whena pitcher releases ball 100, the outputs of IMU(s) 130 and/oraccelerometer(s) 132 may be determined and recorded or stored in memory134. In some embodiments, when the pressure sensors no longer detectpressure on ball 100, a position of ball 100 may be determined. Forexample, using accelerometer(s) 132, a position of ball 100 may bedetermined with respect to gravity, as well as a position with respectto a pitching mound. Thus, a release point for ball 100 may bedetermined when ball 100 is released. In some embodiments, the pressuresensors may detect when pressure on ball 100 no longer exists, and causecommunications circuitry 138 to send a signal to a user device tosignify that pressure has been released in order to capture positioninginformation of ball 100 from other detection units (e.g., detectionunits 1104 a and 1104 b of FIG. 17).

Each of cover portions 102 a, 102 b, outer spherical portion 108, andinner spherical portion 118 may have a diameter suitable to replicatethe size and feel of an actual baseball or softball. In someembodiments, the entire ball 100 may have a diameter d1 which, in someembodiments, may be between 2.86 and 3.00 inches. In some embodiments,diameter d1 may be between 3.45 and 3.86 inches. Cover portions 102 aand 102 b may have a substantially similar width, which may be definedby the difference between diameter d1 and diameter d2, which correspondsto an outermost surface of outer spherical portion 108. For example, thedifference between diameters d1 and d2 may range between 00.05 and 0.10inches. Diameter d3 corresponds to a diameter of inner spherical portion118. The thickness of outer spherical portion 118 is therefore definedby the difference between diameters d2 and d3 which, in someembodiments, may range between 00.50 and 01.00 inches for example.However, persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that theaforementioned values are merely exemplary.

Both inner spherical portion 118 and outer spherical portion 108 may bemade of any suitable material and have any suitable thickness such thatthe components housed within inner spherical portion 118 are protectedwhen ball 100 is thrown. For example, ball 100 will, in most instances,be caught be another individual (e.g., via a catcher's mitt). Innerspherical portion 118 and/or outer spherical portion 108 may providecushion and support such that, when ball 100 is caught, no damage to thecomponents within ball 100 occurs.

In some embodiments, ball 100 may include one or more wires orelectrical connections 128 that electrically couple illuminatingelements 120, 122 to one or more components within inner sphericalportion 118. Electrical connections 128 may, in some embodiments,provide power and/or electrical signals to illuminating elements 120 and122. For example, electrical connections 128 may provide power toilluminating elements 120 and 122 from power supply 140. As anotherexample, electrical connections 128 may provide an electrical signalfrom processor(s) 136 that cause illuminating elements 120 and/or 122 toturn a certain color, light up at a specific intensity, change colors ata certain rate (e.g., blink), and/or not light up.

Electrical connections 128 may couple to an inner face of illuminatingelements 120, 122 which resides on an outer surface of cover portions102 a or 102 b. Electrical connection 128 may extend through coverportions 102 a and 102 b, as well as extend through outer sphericalportion 108 to inner spherical portion 118. In some embodiments,electrical connections 128 may couple to one or more components locatedwithin inner spherical portion 118. For example, electrical connections128 may couple to power supply 140, processor(s) 136, IMU(s) 130, and/orany other component, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments,one or more components within inner spherical portion 118 (e.g., powersupply 140, communications circuitry 138, etc.) may be affixed to asubstrate or printed circuit board. Electrical connections 128 may, inthis scenario, connect to the substrate or printed circuit board.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will also recognize that ball 100may include one or more insulating layers (e.g., between inner and outerspherical portions 118 and 108, between outer spherical portion 108 andcover portions 102 a and 102 b). The insulating layers may serve toprotect an individual throwing ball 100 receiving any electrical shockfrom an erroneously discharging element within, or on, ball 100.

In some embodiments, ball 100 may include one or more additionalcomponents such as an audio producing element (e.g., a speaker),transmitter, a bus connector, and/or any other suitable component. Forexample, ball 100 may include one or more additional electrical wires orconnectors to electrically couple one or components together (e.g., IMUs130 and illuminating elements 120, 122). As another example, ball 100may include one or more speakers that may output an audible tone inresponse to ball 100 being thrown accurately. The audible tone generatedby the speaker may be from an electrical signal outputted to thespeakers. For example, in response to detecting an output from IMU(s)130 and/or accelerometer(s) 132, processor(s) 136 may send a signal tothe speakers to produce a sound indicating to a pitcher that ball 100has been thrown correctly. As yet another example, ball 100 may includea transmitter operable to send signals to one or more additional devicessuch as detection units or user devices. For instance, in response tocertain conditions being met by IMU(s) 130 and/or accelerometer(s) 132,processor(s) 136 may send a signal to other devices using a transmitterlocated within ball 100.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative diagram of another ball in accordance withvarious embodiments. In one embodiment, ball 150 may correspond to abaseball or a softball. Ball 150 of FIG. 3 is, in some embodiments,substantially similar to ball 100 of FIG. 1, with the exception thatball 150 includes stitches 114 made from a stitching material having anilluminating element included therein. For example, the stitchingmaterial of stitches 114 may be, or may include, an illuminating fiberor yarn that is coupled to one or more components within ball 150 (e.g.,power supply 140), such that stitches 114 may turn different colors inresponse to various instructions from processor(s) 136. As anotherexample, the stitching material of stitches 114 may be made from acombination of a non-illuminating fiber or thread and an illuminatingfiber or thread, which are wound together to form a unitary thread orfiber. As yet another example, an illuminating coating may be applied tothe stitching material of stitches 114 such that, when activated bybattery 140 or other power supply, stitches 114 turn a certain color. Asstill yet another example, illuminating particulates may be integratedinto the stitching material of stitches 114.

In some embodiments, one or more electrical connections, such aselectrical connections 128 of FIG. 2, may couple stitching material usedto form stitches 114 to power source 140 within inner spherical portion118. For example, a copper wire may extend from a stitch 114 throughouter spherical portion 108 to power supply 140. In some embodiments,however, an additional power supply may line an inner surface of coverportion 102 a and/or 102 b, or an outer surface of outer sphericalportion 108 such that each stitch 114 may contact the power supply. Thestitches may further be coupled via one or more copper wires or otherelectrical connections to processor(s) 136 to receive instructions forwhich color to illuminate based on various detected outputs from IMUs130 and/or accelerometer(s) 132.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative diagram of yet another ball in accordance withvarious embodiments. In one embodiment, ball 160 may correspond to abaseball or a softball. Ball 160, in some embodiments, is substantiallysimilar to ball 100 of FIG. 1 with the exception that illuminatingelements 120 and 122 may be placed on cover portions 102 a, 102 b suchthat they are not in line with seam 106. For example, ball 160 mayinclude eight illuminating elements 120 and/or 122, which may bedistributed evenly about an exterior of ball 160. For instance, if ball160 is taken to be a symmetrical sphere having a diameter d3 and anorigin at the center of ball 160, illuminating elements 120 and/or 122may be placed at spherical coordinates (d3, 0°, 0°), (d3, 0°, 180°),(d3, 0°, 90°), (d3, 90°, 90°), (d3, 180°, 90°), and (d3, 270°, 90°).However, persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize thatilluminating elements 120 and/or 122 may be placed at any suitablelocation about cover portions 102 a and 102 b, and the aforementionedcoordinates are merely exemplary.

In some embodiments, illuminating elements 120 and 122 of ball 160 maybe integrated into cover portions 102 a and 102 b such that the surfaceof cover portions 102 a and 102 b appears and feels smooth andconsistent. This may allow an individual to properly grip ball 160 suchthat illuminating elements 120 and 122 do not interfere with the type ofpitch the individual is attempting to throw. Furthermore, by havingilluminating elements 120 and 122 integrated into cover portions 102 aand 102 b, the drag force effects on ball 160 may not be affected.However, in some embodiments, illuminating elements 120 and 122 mayextend away from cover portions 102 a and 102 b, so long as the dragforce effects on ball 160 due to illuminating elements 120 and 122 arenegligible.

FIGS. 5A-C are illustrative diagrams of a first and second cover portionfor a ball in accordance with various embodiments. As seen in FIG. 5A,first and second cover portions 102 a and 102 b are, in one exemplaryembodiment, substantially shaped in a figure eight (8) pattern. Forexample, cover portions 102 a and 102 b may include two circularportions connected by a curved middle section. Both cover portions 102 aand 102 b may be substantially similar in size and shape such that, whenplaced on a baseball or softball, cover portions 102 a and 102 bsubstantially cover the baseball or softball. In some embodiments,however, more than two cover portions may be used to cover a baseball orsoftball, such as ball 100 of FIG. 1, or a baseball or softball may becovered by a single cover. In some additional embodiment, more than twocover portions 102 a, 102 b may be used to cover a ball, such as ball100 of FIG. 1.

In some embodiments, cover portions 102 a and 102 b may be formed froman animal skin, such as a cowhide, horsehide, or leather. In otherembodiments, synthetic materials, such as synthetic hides or leathers,may be used to form cover portions 102 a and 102 b. Other exemplarymaterials may include, but are not limited to, plastics, rubbers, paper,woods, threads, fabrics, or any other material, or any combinationthereof. In some embodiments, cover portions 102 a and 102 b may includea waterproof coating or finish such that balls 100, 150, or 160 may beprotected from natural elements (e.g., water).

FIG. 5B is an exemplary cross-sectional view of cover sections 102 a,102 b of FIG. 5C. Cover portions 102 a, 102 b of FIGS. 5B and 5C may, inone embodiment, be substantially similar to cover portions 102 a, 102 bof FIG. 5A, with the exception that the former may include a protectioncover 126 that resides on an outer surface of cover portions 102 a, 102b. For example, protection cover 126 may be substantially figure-eightshaped such that it has a same shape as cover portions 102 a, 102 b ofFIG. 5A. Protection cover 126 may be made of a plastic or otherinsulating material, or any other suitable material such as a hide orsynthetic such that a user may be capable properly gripping ball 100,150, and/or 160.

Protection cover 126 may cover illuminating elements 120 and 122 locatedon an inner portion of cover portions 102 a, 102 b. Illuminatingelements 120, 122 may of FIG. 5B may serve to allow ball 100 to turn afirst color in response to a predefined condition being met. Forexample, as mentioned previously, in response to detecting one or moreparameters for a particularly pitch attempting to be thrown,illuminating elements 120, 122 may light up a first color indicatingthat ball 100 was thrown correctly. If the parameters are not detected,illuminating elements 120, 122 may light up a second color. Furthermore,in some embodiments, first cover portion 102 a may light up a firstcolor in response to the parameters being detected, whereas second coverportion 102 b may light up a second color in response to the parametersnot being detected.

FIG. 5C shows a substantially planar view of cover portions 102 a, 102 bof FIG. 5B. As seen in FIG. 5C, an outer portion of cover portions 102a, 102 b includes protection cover 126. Thus, illuminating elements 120,122 may be protected from damage by protection cover 126 such that ball100 is not damaged if thrown incorrectly, or when caught. Illuminatingelements 120, 122 may be substantially figure-eight shaped, however theymay, in some embodiments, be slightly smaller than protection cover 126,as illustrated by the dashed line in FIG. 5C. However, persons ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that any shape or configurationof illuminating elements 120, 122 may be used such that cover portion102 a and/or 102 b are capable of turning one or more colors.

FIG. 6A is an illustrative diagram of a ball, such as a baseball, beingused to throw a pitch in accordance with various embodiments. Anindividual, such as a pitcher 202 may throw ball 100 to a catcher 204.Pitcher 202, when throwing ball 100, for example, may be pitching fromon top of a baseball mound 206. A typical baseball mound 206 is no morethan 10 inches in height above home plate 208, which, typically, is 60feet 6 inches away from a front edge of a pitcher's plate 207. However,persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that this is merelyone illustrative example, and mound 206 and/or plate 208 may correspondto a mound and home plate for softball, or any other type ofconfiguration (e.g., little league, high school, etc.)

Home plate 208 is typically a five-sided structure having a front sidethat is closest to mound 206 and parallel to plate 207. The front sideof home plate 208 is typically 17 inches, with two 8.5 inch sideportions extending away from mound 206 which are connected to two 12inch sides set at an angle such that they make a point midway withrespect to the front side of home plate 208. In one illustrativeexample, home plate 208 may be thought of as a square having sides 17inches long, where two isosceles triangles having sides of 8.5 inchesand a hypotenuse of 12 inches are removed from a rear portion of homeplate 208.

For exemplary purposes, the a three-dimensional reference system is usedwhere an origin O is located at an upper left corner of home plate 208.When ball 100 is thrown along path P, it travels in a negativey-direction. The change in vertical displacement of ball 100 frompitcher 202 to catcher 204 is change along a z-axis such that gravity isoriented in the negative z-direction. A baseball moving from a rightside of pitcher 202 to a left side of pitcher 202 may be defined as apositive x-direction, referring commonly to a motion of a baseballthrown by a right-handed pitcher. However, a left-handed pitcher mayhave ball 100 move from a left side to a right side, thus traveling in anegative x-direction. Persons of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that the coordinate system used is merely exemplary, and otherreference frames and origins may be used.

FIGS. 6B and 6C are illustrative diagrams of a ball thrown correctly andincorrectly, respectively, and corresponding feedback provided by theball, in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 6B shows anillustrative example of pitcher 202 throwing ball 100 correctly. In someembodiments, a user may select a pitch that ball 100 will be thrown as.For example, pitcher 202 may select a fastball. When thrown correctly,ball 100 may rotate, or spin, at a certain rate, and may move,vertically and/or horizontally, a certain amount (see Table 1). Path Pillustrates an exemplary path of motion for ball 100 when thrownaccurately. Path P* corresponds to an actual path of motion for ball 100when thrown by pitcher 202. As seen by FIG. 6B, exemplary path P andactual path P* are substantially aligned such that ball 100 may be saidto have proper motion for a type of baseball pitch intended to be thrown(e.g., a fastball).

In response to determining that the motion of ball 100 is correct, ball100 may cause one or more illuminating elements, such as illuminatingelements 120 and/or 122, to turn a first color. For example, in responseto determining that ball 100 has moved an appropriate amount verticallyand horizontally at a correct spin rate for a fastball, processor(s) 136of ball 100 may send a signal to illuminating elements 120 and 122 toturn green. Thus, as pitcher 202 throws ball 100, he/she will receivesubstantially immediate feedback with regards to the accuracy of thepitch they intended to throw.

If, however, a pitcher throws ball 100 incorrectly, then ball 100 mayrecognize one or more of an incorrect direction of motion (e.g.,vertically and/or horizontally), and/or an incorrect spin rate. Inresponse to detecting one or more incorrect factors for a selected typeof pitch, ball 100 may instruct illuminating elements 120, 122 to turn asecond color. For example, if pitcher 202 intends to throw a fastball,which should follow path P if thrown accurately, along path P**, thenprocessor(s) 136 of ball 100 may send a signal to illuminating elements120 and/or 122 to turn red. This may indicate to pitcher 202 that ball100 has been thrown incorrectly.

TABLE 1 Vertical Horizontal Velocity Displacement Displacement Spin RatePitch Type (mph) (inches) (inches) (RPMs) 4 Seam 89-99 (−11)-(−17)(−3)-(−6) 2200 or Fastball greater Curveball 72-82 (−3)-(−7) 2-6 800-1200 Knuckleball 55-70 N/A N/A 20-50 Changeup 78-86  (−2)-(−10)(−9)-(9)  1100-1500 Splitter 80-88  3-10  (−4)-(−10) 1100-2100

Each time a pitcher (or another individual) selects a type of pitch tobe thrown using ball 100, certain parameters for that type of pitch maybe measured to determine whether ball 100 has been thrown correctly forthe selected pitch. Table 1 provides some exemplary parameters that maybe stored in memory 134 on ball 100 for different pitches. Persons ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that the values listed in Table1 for the various types of pitches are exemplary, and different valuesmay be used or programmed, and different types of pitches may be addedto or removed from Table 1.

In response to a pitch being selected, parameters for the selected pitchmay be retrieved from memory 134. These parameters are then comparedwith outputs detected by IMU(s) 130 and/or accelerometer(s) 132 todetermine whether the selected pitch has been thrown correctly. Forexample, if a fastball has been selected, processor(s) 136 may determinewhether IMU(s) 130 has detected a spin rate for ball 100 that is greaterthan 2200 RPMs (revolutions per minute). If so, processor(s) 136 maysend a signal to, or cause, illuminating elements 120 and/or 122 to turna first color, such as green, indicating to the pitcher that ball 100has been correctly thrown as a fastball. If not, processor(s) 136 maycause illuminating elements 120 and/or 122 to turn a second color, suchas red, or not light up at all. This may indicate to the pitcher thatthey have thrown ball 100 incorrectly.

Any threshold may be set for processor(s) 136 such that, when detected,illuminating elements 120 and/or 122 are caused to illuminate or turn acertain color. For example, in some embodiments, processor(s) 136 maycause illuminating elements 120, 122 to turn a first color in responseto IMU(s) 130 detecting a correct spin rate for the selected pitch. Asanother example, processor(s) 136 may cause illuminating elements 120,122 to turn a first color in response to IMU(s) 130 and/oraccelerometer(s) 132 detecting a correct spin rate, velocity, andhorizontal displacement for a selected pitch. The number of parametersthat may be required for a pitch to be “correct” may vary and may alsobe set by the user. For example, a novice setting may only use velocityof ball 100 to determine whether or not the selected pitch has beenthrown correctly. An advanced or professional setting may, instead,require the velocity, vertical displacement, horizontal displacement,and spin rate of the selected pitch be measured or detected in order todeem the thrown pitch “correct”.

FIG. 7 is an illustrative diagram of a system including a user deviceand a ball in accordance with various embodiments. System 400 includesball 100, as seen in FIG. 1, and user device 450. In some embodiments,ball 150 or 160 of FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively, may be included withinsystem 400 instead of ball 100, and the foregoing description may beapplicable to such scenarios. In some embodiments, ball 100 of FIG. 7may correspond to a baseball or a softball, and the foregoingdescription may be applicable to both scenarios.

In some embodiments, a user may select a type of pitch using user device450. For example, a user may be presented with a variety of pitch typeson a user interface, such as user interface 410. User interface 410 maypresent various pitch types that may be selected by a user operatinguser device 450. For example, user interface 410 may display pitches414, 416, 418, 422, 424, and 426. A user may select one of the pitchesdisplayed within user interface 410 by pressing a button or tapping onuser interface 410 in a region where the pitch intended to be selectedis displayed. For example, a user wanting to select a 4-Seam Fastballmay tap or touch user interface 410 in the region of user interface 410where pitch 414, a 4-Seam Fastball, is being displayed.

In response to tapping or touching user interface 410 to select a pitch,such as pitch 414, indicator 412 may be displayed within user interface410. In some embodiments, indicator 412 may correspond to a displayedcircle or outline surrounding the pitch (e.g., pitch 414) selected bythe user. For example, indicator 412 may correspond to a highlightedportion of user interface 410 about where the selected pitch isdisplayed.

After the pitch has been selected on user device 450, the selection maybe communicated to ball 100. For example, user device 450 may transmitinformation to ball 100 regarding what pitch has been selected. Theselection may be transmitted across one or more networks (e.g., LAN,WAN, point-to-point), and may use any suitable communications protocol(e.g., 802.11 protocol, Bluetooth®, etc.). Communications link 420 may,in some embodiments, represent the communications sent from user device450 to ball 100. In some embodiments, however, ball 100 may be capableof transmitting communications to user device 450, as described ingreater detail below.

In some embodiments, the communications transmitted to ball 100 fromuser device 450 may include instructions of one or more predefinedvalues, pre-defined ranges, and/or predefined threshold values for oneor more baseball pitches that are stored in memory 134 on ball 100. Forexample, in response to selecting pitch 414 (e.g., a 4-Seam Fastball),user device 450 may provide instructions to ball 100 to extractpredefined values, ranges, and threshold values for pitch 414 that maybe stored in memory on ball 100. The communications may also instructprocessor(s) 136 to monitor outputs from IMU(s) 130 and/oraccelerometer(s) 132 to determine if the predefined values and thresholdvalues are detected by ball 100.

As an illustrative non-limiting example, a user may select pitch 414 onuser interface 410. User device 450 may send communications to ball 100communicating that pitch 414 has been selected. Processor(s) 136 of ball100 may then retrieve values or ranges stored in memory 134 for pitch414, such as velocity, vertical displacement, horizontal displacement,and/or spin rate, for example, for pitch 414. Processor(s) 136 may thenmonitor outputs from IMU(s) 130 and/or accelerometer(s) 132 to determineif the values for velocity, vertical displacement, horizontaldisplacement, and/or spin rate for pitch 414 have been detected. If theyhave, processor(s) 136 may then cause illuminating elements 120 and/or122 to turn a first color, however if the values have not been detected,processor(s) 136 may instead cause illuminating elements 120 and/or 122to turn a second color.

In some embodiments, in response to selecting a pitch on user interface410, user device 450 may communicate values to be measured by ball 100corresponding to the selected pitch. Based on the selected pitch 414(e.g., a 4-Seam Fastball), user device 450 may communicate predefinedvalues, predefined value ranges, and/or predefined threshold values, toball 100. For example, user device 450 may communicate a predefinedvelocity range or threshold value for pitch 414 (e.g., between 88-99 mphor greater than 85 mph for a 4-Seam Fastball), a predefined horizontaldisplacement range or threshold value, a predefined verticaldisplacement range or threshold value, and/or a predefined spin raterange or threshold value (e.g., greater than 2200 RPMs). After receivingthe information from user device 450, ball 100 may store the predefinedvalues in memory 134. Processor(s) 136 may then, accordingly, monitoroutputs from IMU(s) 130 and/or accelerometer(s) 132 to determine if anyof the predefined values now stored in memory 134 are detected.

In some embodiments, as described in greater detail below, ball 100 maycommunicate information to user device 450 across communications link420. For example, ball 100 may communicate information regarding one ormore of the detected outputs from IMU(s) 130 and/or accelerometer(s)132. User device 450 may receive information from ball 100 and may usethis information to create or display graphics to a user regarding thequality of ball 100 as thrown for different pitches.

FIG. 8 is an illustrative block diagram of a user device, such as theuser device of FIG. 7, in accordance with various embodiments. Userdevice 450, in some embodiments, may correspond to any electronic deviceor system. Various types of user devices may include, but are notlimited to, portable media players, cellular telephones or smart phones,pocket-sized personal computers, laptop computers, tablet computers,and/or electronic accessory devices such as smart watches or bracelets.User device 450 may communicate with one or more additional user device,networks, servers, or balls. For example, user device 450 maycommunicate with ball 100 of FIG. 1, ball 150 of FIG. 3, and/or ball 160of FIG. 4. As another example, user device 450 may send text messages oremails to other user devices across a network, or user device 450 mayaccess one or more websites located on a server.

User device 450, in some embodiments, may include one or moreprocessor(s) 452, memory/storage 454, communications circuitry 456,input interface 458, and output interface 460. In some embodiments,input interface 458 may include one or more cameras 462 and one or moremicrophones 464. Output interface 460 may also include display 466 andone or more speakers 468. Persons of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that user device 450 may include any number of components, andone or more additional components or modules may be added or omittedwithout deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore,one or more components may be combined or separated (e.g., memory andstorage), and multiple instances of various components are alsopossible, however for simplicity only one of each component is shownwithin user device 450.

Processor(s) 452 may, in some embodiments, be substantially similar toprocessor(s) 138 of FIG. 2, with the exception that the former may becapable of controlling operations and functionality on user device 450.Processor(s) 452 may facilitate communications between variouscomponents within user device 100. For example, processor(s) 452 maycause display 466 to display a certain user interface corresponding to alisting of pitches that ball 100 may throw. Processor(s) 452 may run anoperating system for user device 450, applications resident on userdevice 450, firmware applications, media applications, and/or any othertype of application, or any combination thereof that functions on, or inconjunction with, user device 450.

Memory/storage 454 may include any suitable form of memory such as cachememory, semi-permanent memory (e.g., RAM), or any other memory type, orany combination thereof. In some embodiments, memory/storage 454 may beused in place of and/or in addition to an external memory source orstorage unit or device for storing data. Memory/storage 454 may alsoinclude one or more storage mediums including, but not limited to, harddrives, solid state drives, flash memory, permanent memory (e.g., ROM),or any other storage type or any combination thereof. In someembodiments, memory/storage 454 may be substantially similar to memory134 of FIG. 2 with the exception that the former may be more robust dueto a greater amount of capabilities and size of user device 450 inrelation to ball 100.

Communications circuitry 456 may include any circuitry capable ofconnecting user device 450 to one or more additional device (e.g.,laptop computers, smartphones, baseballs), one or more networks (e.g.,LAN, WAN, etc.), and/or one or more servers. Communications circuitry456 may also support any suitable communications protocol including, butnot limited to, Wi-Fi (e.g., 802.11 protocol), Bluetooth®, radiofrequency systems (e.g., 900 MHz, 1.4 GHz, and 5.6 GHz communicationssystems), infrared, GSM, GSM plus EDGE, CDMA, quadband, VOIP, LTE, orany other communications protocol, or any combination thereof.

Input interface 458 may include any suitable mechanism and/or componentfor receiving inputs from a user operating user device 450. For example,input interface 458, in one embodiment, includes one or more cameras462. Cameras 462 may correspond to any suitable image capturingcomponent capable of capturing images and/or video. For example, camera462 may capture photographs, sequences of photographs, rapid shots,videos, or any other type of image, or any combination thereof. In someembodiments, cameras 462 may be capable of capturing high-definition(“HD”), 3-D, and/or panoramic images and/or videos. In some embodiments,cameras 462 may include one or more filters or settings for imagesand/or video that may be captured by cameras 462 (e.g., black and white,monochromatic, fades, slow-motion, etc.). In some embodiments, userdevice 450 may include multiple instances of camera 462. For example,user device 450 may include a front-facing camera and a rear-facingcamera. In some embodiments, one or more additional image capturingcomponents, such as a zoom or add on filter, may be used in connectionwith, or instead of, camera 462 to aid in capturing images and/orvideos.

Microphone(s) 464 may be any component capable of detecting and/orreceiving audio signals. For example, microphone(s) 464 may include oneor more sensors for generating electrical signals and circuitry capableof processing the generated electrical signals. In some embodiments,user device 450 may include multiple instances of microphone 464, suchas a first microphone and a second microphone. In some embodiments, userdevice 450 may include multiple microphones capable of detecting variousfrequency levels (e.g., high/low-frequency microphones). Furthermore, insome embodiments, one or more external microphones may be connected touser device 450 and may be used in conjunction with, or instead of,microphone(s) 464.

Output interface 460 may include any suitable mechanism or component forgenerating outputs from a user operating user device 450. For example,display 466 may, in some embodiments, present content to a user on userdevice 450. Display 466 may be any size or shape, and may be located onone or more regions/sides of user device 450. For example, display 466may fully occupy a first side of user device 450, or display 466 mayonly occupy a portion of a first side of user device 450. Variousdisplay types include, but are not limited to, liquid crystal displays(“LCD”), monochrome displays, color graphics adapter (“CGA”) displays,enhanced graphics adapter (“EGA”) displays, variable graphics array(“VGA”) displays, 3-D displays, high-definition (“HD”) displays, or anyother display type, or any combination thereof.

In some embodiments, display 466 may be a touch screen and/or aninteractive touch sensitive display screen. For example, display 466 maybe a multi-touch panel coupled to processor(s) 452, and may include oneor more capacitive sensing panels. In some embodiments, display 466 mayalso correspond to a component, or portion, of input interface 458, asit may recognize and one or more touch inputs. For example, in responseto detecting certain touch inputs on display 466, processor(s) 452 mayexecute one or more functions for user device 100 and/or may displaycertain content on display 466.

Speakers 468 may correspond to any suitable mechanism for outputtingaudio signals. For example, speakers 468 may include one or more speakerunits, transducers, or arrays of speakers and/or transducers capable ofbroadcasting audio signals and/or audio content to an area where userdevice 450, or a user, may be located. In some embodiments, speakers 468may correspond to headphones or ear buds capable of broadcasting audiodirectly to a user. In yet another embodiment, one or more externalspeakers may be connected to user device 450, and may serve to provideaudio content to a user associated with user device 450.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are illustrative diagrams of a ball oriented aboutvarious axes to describe a motion of the ball in accordance with variousembodiments. FIG. 9A, in some embodiments, describes motion of ball 100about two axes. For example, ball 100 may rotate about an x-axis whichmay run parallel to a front edge of home plate (e.g., home plate 208 ofFIG. 5). Ball 100, when thrown, may rotate about the x-axis. The amountof rotation, or the spin rate, of ball 100 will depend on the type ofpitch throw. For example, as seen in Table 1, a 4-Seam Fastball may havea spin rate of 2200 RPMs or greater, whereas a changeup may have a spinrate approximately between 1100 and 1500 RPMs.

In some embodiments, ball 100 may be capable of measuring an amount ofdeviation of ball 100 from a z-axis. For example, the z-axis, or homeaxis, may correspond to an axis perpendicular to the x-axis, and alignedwith the direction of gravity. For certain pitches, such as a fastball,the deviation of ball 100 from the z-axis while ball 100 is in flightshould be minimal. Thus, ball 100 may be capable of detecting an amountof deviation from the z-axis of ball 100. If the deviation of ball 100from the z-axis is greater than a predefined threshold value for theselected type of pitch (e.g., a fastball), then ball 100 may determinethat the pitch has been thrown incorrectly and illuminating elements 120and/or 122 may light up a certain color (e.g., red) or may not light upat all. This may signify to the user that they have thrown ball 100incorrectly. If ball 100, however, determines that the deviation fromthe z-axis is less than the predefined threshold value, then ball 100may cause illuminating elements 120 and/or 122 to light up another color(e.g., green), signifying that ball 100 has been thrown correctly.

In some embodiments, in order for ball 100 to determine that it has beenthrown correctly, more than one condition may be required. For example,in addition to determining that an amount of deviation from the z-axisis less than a predefined threshold, ball 100 may also require that thespin rate about the x-axis meet a predefined threshold value for theselected pitch. Thus, as an illustrative example, if a user attempts tothrow a 4-Seam Fastball, the rotation of ball 100 about the x-axisshould exceed 2200 RPMs. If this condition is met and the deviation fromthe z-axis is less than the predefined threshold, then ball 100 maycause illuminating elements 120 and/or 122 to light up a first color(e.g., green). However, if one or both of the conditions are not met,illuminating elements 120 and/or 122 may light up a second color, or maynot light up at all.

FIG. 9B, in some embodiments, describes another exemplary motion of ball100 about two axes. For example, ball 100 may correspond to a differentpitch type, such as a curveball, having a different axis of rotationthat ball 100 of FIG. 9A. In the illustrative non-limiting embodiment,the coordinate system of FIG. 9B is rotated clockwise by an angle αabout the z-x plane. For example, a may correspond to an angle of45-degrees such that the new axis of rotation of ball 100, the x′-axis,is offset from the x-axis by 45-degrees. Similarly, the new axis ofdeviation, the z′-axis, may be offset from the z-axis of FIG. 9A by45-degrees.

In the scenario described above for FIG. 9B, for example, ball 100 maymonitor the motion of ball 100 about the x′-axis and the z′-axis.Inertial measurement unit(s) 130 and/or accelerometer(s) 132 may, insome embodiments, receive instructions from processor(s) 136 regardingthe type of pitch to be thrown, and may adjust their coordinate systemsto account for that type of pitch. In this scenario, IMU(s) 130 and/oraccelerometer(s) 132 may modify their coordinate system from having theaxis of rotation being aligned with the x-axis and the axis of deviationor home axis aligned with the z-axis, as seen in FIG. 9A, to now havingthe axis of rotation aligned with the x′-axis and the home axis beingthe z′-axis.

Processor(s) 136 of ball 100 may monitor the outputs from IMU(s) 130and/or accelerometer(s) 132 to determine, for a certain selected pitch(e.g., a curveball), whether or not ball 100 has rotated about thex′-axis more than a predefined threshold value for the selected pitch.For example, for a curveball, ball 100 may rotate between 1100 and 1500RPMs about the x′-axis. If processor(s) 136 determine that IMU(s) 130have detected a rotation of ball 100 about the x′-axis between thepredefined values, then processor(s) 136 may instruct illuminatingelements 120 and/or 122 to turn a first color (e.g., green). If not,processor(s) 136 may instruct illuminating elements 120 and/or 122 toturn a second color (e.g., red).

Similar to FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B may correspond to a scenario where, in orderto determine that ball 100 has been thrown correctly, the deviation fromaxis z′-axis may be required to be less than a predefined value. Forexample, if ball 100 deviates from axis z′-axis more than a predefinedamount (e.g., 1-2 inches or +/−10-degrees), then ball 100 may have beenthrown incorrectly for the type of pitch selected to be thrown. Thus,processor(s) 136 of ball 100 may monitor the outputs of IMU(s) 130and/or accelerometer(s) 132 to determine if ball 100 has deviated fromthe z′-axis by more than the predefined amount and, if it has, may causeilluminating elements 120 and/or 122 to light up a certain color (e.g.,red). However, if the deviation is less than or equal to the predefinedvalue, than processor(s) 136 may cause illuminating elements 120 and/or122 to light up a different color (e.g., green).

In some embodiments, both conditions, the deviation from the z′-axisbeing less than a predefined value and the spin rate about the x′-axisbeing a certain amount of RPMs, may be required in order for ball 100 tobe thrown “correctly”. For example, if the spin rate about the x′-axisfor ball 100 is between 1100 and 1500 RPMs, then ball 100 may have aproper spin rate for a certain pitch attempting to be thrown (e.g., acurveball). However, in some embodiments, in order for processor(s) 136to cause illuminating elements 120 and/or 122 to turn a first color(e.g., green) to indicate to the user throwing ball 100 that the pitchhas been thrown correctly, the deviation from the z′-axis may also berequired to be less than a certain number of degrees (e.g., 10-degrees).If both of these conditions are met then processor(s) 136 may causeilluminating elements 120 and/or 122 to turn a first color (e.g.,green), however if not, then processor(s) 136 may cause illuminatingelements 120 and/or 122 to turn a second color (e.g., red).

FIG. 10 is an illustrative diagram of an exemplary user interface,displayed on a user device, describing a motion and statistics of a ballin accordance with various embodiments. User interface 500, in someembodiments, may be displayed on a user device, such as user device 450of FIG. 8. User interface 500 may present content or informationcorresponding to a pitch that has been thrown using ball 100. Forexample, an individual may selected pitch 414 (e.g., a 4-Seam Fastball)on user interface 410 of FIG. 7 that ball 100 may be thrown as. Afterball 100 has been thrown, information regarding the motion of ball 100as it was thrown may be transmitted from ball 100 (e.g., viacommunications circuitry 138) to user device 450, and this informationmay be displayed within user interface 500. In some embodiments, userinterface 500 may include pitch type 502, which may correspond to thetype of baseball pitch selected by an individual using user interface410. For example, a user may have selected pitch 414 (e.g., a 4-SeamFastball), and this pitch type may be presented on user interface 500 atpitch type 502.

In some embodiments, user interface 500 may display a first graph 504describing an exemplary side perspective view of ball 100 as it isthrown from pitching plate 207 to home plate 208. Graph 504 may show howa motion of ball 100 changes along the vertical axis (e.g., the z-axis).For example, the change in height h of ball 100, may be shown in graph504. User interface 500 may also display a second graph 506 describingan exemplary overhead perspective view of ball 100 as it is thrown. Forexample, graph 100 may show how a motion of ball 100 changes along ahorizontal axis (e.g., the x-axis). Both of graphs 504 and 506 may showhow the motion of ball 100 changes from a catchers perspective, who seesthe ball “drop” by a height h, and move from their left side to theirright side by a length 1.

In some embodiments, various statistics corresponding to the motion ofball 100 as it is thrown may also be displayed within user interface500. Such statistics may include, but are not limited to, velocity 508,a change in vertical displacement 510, a change in horizontaldisplacement 512, and a spin rate 514. In some embodiments, thestatistics presented within user interface 500 may be obtained from ball100 as it is thrown. For example, as ball 100 is thrown, the variousstatistics regarding the motion of ball 100 may be sent to user device450 and displayed within user interface 500. This may allow a user tovisually see how well a pitcher is throwing ball 100 as ball 100 isbeing thrown. Furthermore, an individual throwing ball 100, such as apitcher, may view the statistics associated with the pitches they throwafter they complete their pitching session. Thus, if an individualthrows a pitch incorrectly, they will not only be able to visually seeball 100 turn a color corresponding to an incorrect throw (e.g., red),but they will also be able to see what specifically was wrong with thepitch they threw. For example, a spin rate may not be correct for thetype of pitch that an individual has attempted to throw, and theindividual may be able to see the specific spin rate of the throw byviewing user interface 500, as well as the path that ball 100 took as itwas thrown.

FIGS. 11A-D are illustrative diagrams of various exemplary userinterfaces, displayed on a user device, describing various statisticsfor a type of ball pitch thrown using a ball in accordance with variousembodiments. FIGS. 11A-D may, in some embodiments, show variousstatistics obtained by ball 100 over time for a certain type or types ofpitch or pitches. For example, FIG. 11A may display a velocity of aselected type of pitch, such as a 4-Seam Fastball, over a course oftime. In the illustrated example, the velocity of ball 100 may increase.As another example, FIG. 11B may display a change in verticaldisplacement of ball 100 as it is thrown, and how the verticaldisplacement change varies over time. For example, the verticaldisplacement for the selected pitch (e.g., 4-Seam Fastball) may, whenthe individual begins throwing ball 100, be approximately 1 inch. At alater point in time, when the pitcher has thrown the type of pitch more,the vertical displacement may improve and the displacement may change toapproximately −4 inches (e.g., with respect to origin O).

Similarly, over time, the change in horizontal displacement for acertain pitch, such as the 4-Seam Fastball, may vary, as seen in FIG.11C. As a pitcher throws more and more 4-Seam Fastballs, the change inhorizontal displacement may increase from initially having 0 inches ofhorizontal displacement to having 10 inches of vertical displacement,for example.

Further still, the spin rate of ball 100 for the selected pitch maychange over time or may stay fairly consistent, as seen in FIG. 11D. Insome embodiments, a spin rate for a 4-Seam Fastball may be greater than2200 RPMs in order to be considered a properly thrown 4-Seam Fastball.Initially, a pitcher may throw a 4-Seam Fastball at a spin rate lessthan 2200 RPMs, however, over time, the pitcher may improve theirability to throw a 4-Seam Fastball such that the spin rate isconsistently 2200 RPMs or greater, as seen in FIG. 11D.

Each of FIGS. 11A-D may be displayed on a user interface, such as userinterface 500, for each type of pitch that a pitcher may throw, and fora total amount of time that the pitcher has been throwing that pitch.For example, a version FIGS. 11A-D may be presented for each differenttype of pitch that ball 100 may be thrown as. A user may select whichpitch they want to view, and the corresponding plots (e.g., FIGS. 11A-D)may be presented for that pitch. Furthermore, a time period for FIGS.11A-D may be modified by a user such that any time period for a pitchmay be displayed. For example, a user may view FIGS. 11A-D for a singlesession of pitching, a week of pitching sessions, a month of pitchingsessions, and/or a comprehensive session of every pitching session thatball 100 has been used for. Thus, an individual may see how theirvelocity for throwing a 4-Seam Fastball, for instance, has changed fromthe time that they begin throwing ball 100 until the present.

FIG. 12 is an illustrative diagram of an exemplary user interfacedisplayed on a user device for creating parameters for a pitch to bethrown by a ball in accordance with various embodiments. User interface600, in some embodiments, includes a variety of options for a user toselect for a pitch that they will throw using ball 100. For example, auser may decide to throw a new pitch that is not already loaded orstored on ball 100 and/or user device 450. As another example, a usermay decide to modify one or more parameters of a certain pitch alreadystored on user device 450 and/or ball 100. In this particular scenario,the user may select a pitch already listed on a user interface (e.g.,user interface 400) displayed on their user device, such as pitches 414,416, 418, 422, 424, and/or 426, and modify one or more parameters forthat pitch. This may allow the user to customize a certain pitch tocorrespond to the user's personal settings. As an illustrative example,the user may decide to modify the velocity for a 4-Seam Fastball frombeing between 88 and 98 mph, to now be 80-90 mph.

User interface 600 may, in some embodiments, include name of pitchoption 602. Name of pitch option 602 may allow a user to name a pitchthat they will be creating. The new pitch may, for example, be amodified version of a pre-existing pitch, or the pitch may be abrand-new pitch not based on a pre-existing pitch. A user may use anysuitable name for any pitch being created or modified. For example, auser may create a new pitch named “Hyper Ball”, and that name may bepresented within a user interface (e.g., user interface 410) displayinga list of selectable pitches for a user to throw ball 100 as after auser has selected the parameters for the new pitch.

User interface 600 may, in some embodiments, include minimum and maximumhorizontal displacement options 604 and 606, respectively. Options 604and 606 may allow a user to select a minimum and a maximum amount ofhorizontal displacement, respectively, that the new or modified pitchbeing created should have. For example, for a new pitch called “HyperBall”, the minimum horizontal displacement may be −5.00 inches (withrespect to origin O of home plate 208), whereas the maximum horizontaldisplacement may be +15.00 inches. If an individual throws ball 100 suchthat the horizontal displacement of ball 100 is between −5.00 and +15.00inches, then processor(s) 136 of ball 100 may determine that the ball100 has correct horizontal displacement for a Hyper Ball pitch.Accordingly, processor(s) 136 may instruct illuminating elements 120and/or 122 on ball 100 to turn a first color (e.g., green) to indicateto the user that he/she has thrown ball 100 correctly. If processor(s)136, however, determine that ball 100 has, when thrown, a horizontaldisplacement exceed −5.00 inches or +15.00 inches then processor(s) 136may determine that the individual has thrown ball 100 incorrectly, andthus instruct illuminating elements 120 and/or 122 to turn a secondcolor (e.g., red).

User interface 600 may also include minimum and maximum verticaldisplacement options 608 and 610, respectively. Options 608 and 610 may,in some embodiments, be substantially similar to options 604 and 606,with the exception that the former may apply to an amount of verticaldisplacement.

User interface 600 may further, in some embodiments, include minimum andmaximum spin rate options 612 and 614, respectively. Options 612 and 614may correspond to a minimum and maximum spin rate of ball 100 for thecreated or modified pitch. For example, a Hyper Ball may have a spinrate between 2500 RPMs and 4000 RPMs. If processor(s) 136 on ball 100determine that IMU(s) 132 have detected a spin rate between 2500 and4000 RPMs then processor(s) 136 may cause illuminating elements 120and/or 122 to turn a first color, indicating that ball 100 has beenthrown correctly. If the spin rate of ball 100, however, is less than2500 RPMs or greater than 4000 RPMs, for example, then processor(s) 136may determine that ball 100 has not been thrown with an appropriate spinrate for a Hyper Ball, and therefore processor(s) 136 may causeilluminating elements 120 and/or 122 to turn a second color (e.g., red),indicating that ball 100 has been thrown incorrectly for the intendedpitch type.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any value maybe given to each option 604-614, and the aforementioned are merelyexemplary. Furthermore, any unit (e.g., inches, millimeters,centimeters, feet, etc.) may be used, and any reference frame may beused. Still further, persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognizethat any number of conditions may be used to classify a pitch as beingthrown “correctly”. For example, the horizontal displacement, verticaldisplacement, and spin rate may each be required to be within the setranges for a thrown pitch to be classified as being correctly thrown. Asanother example, only the spin rate being within the set ranges for athrown pitch may be required for classifying the pitch as beingcorrectly thrown. In some embodiments, a user may set, prior to throwingball 100, which criteria/parameters are to be used.

After a user has selected values for options 602-614, the user mayfinalize the selections by selected set option 618. By selecting setoption 618, memory/storage 454 of user device 450 may store theseparameters and pitch name. When a user is then presented with userinterface 410, however, the newly created or modified pitch (e.g., HyperBall) may also be presented. In response to selecting this pitch, theparameters may be transmitted to ball 100. Ball 100 may then monitor theoutputs of IMU(s) 130 and/or accelerometer(s) 132 to determine whetheror not ball 100 has been thrown correctly for the selected pitch type.However, if a user decided to erase, or clear, the setting inputted inuser interface 600, a user may select clear option 616, which may clearthe values for a particular pitch.

FIG. 13 is an illustrative flowchart of an exemplary process forproviding feedback to a user throwing a ball in accordance with variousembodiments. Process 700 may begin at step 702. At step 702, a selectionof a pitch that ball 100, such as a baseball or softball, will be thrownas may be received. For example, a user may select a pitch on their userdevice (e.g., user device 450), and the pitch that is selected may becommunicated to ball 100.

At step 704, a query may be run to determine whether ball 100 has theparameter values for the selected pitch stored in memory. For example, auser may select pitch 414 on user device 450. In response to receivingthe selection of pitch 414 on ball 100, processor(s) 136 may determinewhether or not the parameters (e.g., velocity, horizontal/verticaldisplacement, spin rate) for selected pitch 414 are stored within memory134 on ball 100.

If, at step 704, it is determined that the parameters for the selectedpitch are not stored in the baseball's memory, then process 700 proceedsto step 706. At step 706, the parameters for the selected pitch areobtained from the user device. For example, if a new baseball pitch,such as “Hyper Ball” described in FIG. 12, is selected, the parametervalues set for this pitch may be transmitted to ball 100 and stored inmemory 134 on ball 100.

If, however, at step 704 it is determined that the parameters for theselected pitch are stored in memory on ball 100, the process 700 mayproceed to step 708. At step 708, outputs from one or more IMU(s) and/oraccelerometers on ball 100 (e.g., IMU(s) 130 and accelerometer(s) 132)may be monitored. For example, an output from IMU(s) 130 on ball 100 maybe monitored while ball 100 is being thrown. In some embodiments, IMU(s)130 and/or accelerometer(s) 132 are capable of measuring/detecting avelocity of ball 100, motion of ball 100, such as horizontal and/orvertical displacement, and spin rate of ball 100 about a rotationalaxis. In yet some additional embodiments, IMU(s) 130 and/oraccelerometer(s) 132 may be operable to measure a position (e.g., heightand location) with respect to a fixed origin, such as a corner of homeplate, of ball 100 from its starting point to its end point.

At step 710, a determination of whether or not the parameters stored inmemory and/or obtained have been detected by the IMU(s) and/oraccelerometer(s) on the ball may be made. For example, for a 4-SeamFastball, the velocity of ball 100 may be between 88-98 mph, and thespin rate of ball 100 may be greater than 2200 RPM. IMU(s) 130 andaccelerometer(s) 132 may, for example, monitor the outputs of IMU(s) 130and accelerometer(s) 132 to determine whether or not ball 100 has avelocity between the desired range and/or if ball 100 has the desiredspin rate associated with a 4-Seam Fastball.

If, at step 710, it is determined that ball 100 has detected theparameters for the selected pitch, then process 700 proceeds to step712. At step 712, processor(s) 136 on ball 100 may cause one or moreindicators to perform a first action. For example, ball 100 may includeone or more illuminating elements 120, 122, which may to turn a firstcolor in response to parameters being detected for the selected pitch.For example, if processor(s) 136 determine that ball 100 has anappropriate spin rate for a 4-Seam Fastball, it may cause illuminatingelements 120 and/or 122 to turn a first color, such as green. By turninggreen, an individual throwing ball 100 may see that they have thrownball 100 correctly for the type of pitch they are intending to throw. Asanother example, the one or more indicators may correspond to an audioproducing element. In response to detecting the parameters for theselected pitch, the audio producing elements, such as a speaker ortransducer, may output a first audible tone or sound that the user mayhear indicating that the pitch has been thrown correctly.

However, if at step 710, it is determined that ball 100 has not detectedthe parameters for the selected pitch, then process 700 may proceed tostep 714. At step 714, processor(s) 136 of ball 100 may cause one ormore indicators located on ball 100 to perform a second action. Forexample, ball 100 may include illuminating elements 120 and/or 122, andmay turn a second color, such as red. This may indicate to the user thatthey have thrown ball 100 incorrectly for the type of pitch selectedfrom step 702. Thus, a user may be able to recognize almost immediately,whether they have accurately thrown ball 100 correctly, depending on thetype of pitch intended of being thrown. Furthermore, the visual feedbackprovided to the individual throwing ball 100 (e.g., the pitcher), mayallow the individual to correct one or more aspects of their throwingmotion so that they may attempt to correctly throw ball 100. As anotherexample, as described above, the one or more indicators may correspondto one or more audio producing elements. In response to determining thatball 100 has been thrown incorrectly, the audio producing elements, suchas speakers or transducers, may output a second audible tone or soundthat the user may hear, indicating to the user that they have thrownball 100 incorrectly for the selected pitch. In some embodiments,however, the one or more audio producing elements may not output anaudio tone or sound in response to ball 100 being thrown incorrectly.

However, in yet another embodiment, ball 100 may include bothilluminating elements and audio producing elements. For example, inresponse to determining that ball 100 has been thrown correctly,illuminating elements 120, 122 may turn a first color and one or moreaudio producing elements may output a first sound. Thus a user mayreceive both visual and audible feedback signifying that ball 100 hasbeen thrown correctly. However, in response to determining that ball 100has been thrown incorrectly, illuminating elements 120, 122 may turn asecond color and one or more audio producing elements may output asecond sound. Thus a user may receive both visual and audible feedbacksignifying that ball 100 has been thrown incorrectly. However, personsof ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any other indicator maybe included with ball 100, and thus any action for that indicator may becaused to occur in response to determining that the parameters for aselected pitch have been detected.

FIG. 14 is an illustrative flowchart of another exemplary process forproviding feedback to a user throwing a ball in accordance with variousembodiments. Process 800 may begin at step 802. At step 802, IMU(s) 130and/or accelerometer(s) 132 may be monitored. For example, outputs fromIMU(s) 130 and/or accelerometer(s) 132 may be monitored. The varioustypes of outputs may correspond to a velocity, horizontal displacement,vertical displacement, and/or spin rate of ball 100, for example.

At step 804, a determination may be made as to whether a threshold foran output monitored by IMU(s) 130 and/or accelerometer(s) 132 has beenmet. For example, processor(s) 136 may monitor outputs of IMU(s) 130and/or accelerometer(s) 132 to determine if ball 100 has a spin rateassociated with a selected pitch type. As an illustrative example, a4-Seam Fastball, as seen in Table 1, may have a spin rate greater than2200 RPMs. At step 804, it may be determined whether a spin rate of ball100 is greater than 2200 RPMs. This determination may be made bydetecting whether an output from IMU(s) 130 and/or accelerometer(s) 132a spin rate of ball 100 is greater than 2200 RPMS.

If, at step 804, the threshold value for a particular parametermonitored has not been met, then processor 800 returns to step 802, andthe parameter may continue to be monitored. For example, if a user isattempting to throw ball 100 as a 4-Seam Fastball, the detected outputfrom IMU(s) 130 and/or accelerometer(s) 132 may initially indicate thatball 100 has a spin rate of 1000 RPMs. In this scenario, processor(s)136 may continue to monitor the outputs from IMU(s) 130 and/oraccelerometer(s) 132 as 1000 RPMs is less than the threshold value for aspin rate of a 4-Seam Fastball that has been selected to be thrown.

If, however, at step 804 the threshold value for a particular parameterhas been met, then processor 800 may proceed to step 806. For example,IMU(s) 130 and/or accelerometer(s) 132 may detect that the spin rate ofball 100 is greater than the threshold value 2200 RPMs. At step 806, adetermination is made as to whether or not other threshold values foradditional parameters are to be met. If there are other values to be metfor a particular pitch, then process 800 may return to step 804.Continuing the example mentioned previously, after it is determined thatball 100 has a spin rate greater than 2200 RPM, processor(s) 136 mayalso attempt to determine if the velocity of ball 100 is between thepredefined values for a 4-Seam Fastball, 88-98 mph. If processor(s) 136determine, based on outputs from IMU(s) 130 and/or accelerometer(s) 132,that the velocity of ball 100 is less than 88 mph, for example, thenprocessor(s) 136 may continue to monitor the outputs from IMU(s) 130and/or accelerometer(s) 132 until it is determined that baseball has avelocity greater than 88 mph, but less than 98 mph.

However, if at step 806 it is determined that all of the thresholdvalues for any needed parameter for the selected pitch has been met,process 800 may proceed to step 808. At step 808, processor(s) 136 ofball 100 may cause illuminating elements 120 and/or 122 on ball 100 toturn a first color. For example, illuminating elements 120 and/or 122may turn green to indicate to the individual ball 100 was throwncorrectly. This may allow a user to have substantially immediatefeedback with regards to the quality of the pitch they are trying tothrow, and may allow a user to make substantially quick adjustments toimprove the quality of the pitches they throw.

In some embodiments, however, instead of, or in addition to, causingilluminating elements to turn a first color in response to the thresholdvalue(s) being met, one or more additional indicators may be caused toperform an action. For example, one or more speakers or transducers mayoutput an audible tone in response to the threshold value(s) being met.In some embodiments, some threshold values being met may causeilluminating elements to turn a first color while other threshold valuesbeing met may cause other indicators, such as an audio output, to beplayed. For example, in response to the spin rate for a selected pitchbeing met, illuminating elements 120 and/or 122 may turn a first color,while if the velocity threshold for the selected pitch has been met, anaudible tone will be outputted.

FIG. 15 is an illustrative flowchart of an exemplary process forproviding parameters for a selected pitch to a ball in accordance withvarious embodiments. Process 900 may begin at step 902. At step 902, alist of pitches may be presented on a user interface displayed on userdevice 450. For example, user interface 410 of FIG. 7 may presentpitches 414, 416, 418, 422, 424, and 426 thereon. Parameters, includingthreshold value and/or acceptable ranges for each listed pitch may bestored in memory 454 on user device 450. In some embodiments, theparameters may correspond to a pitch's velocity, horizontaldisplacement, vertical displacement, and/or spin rate, howeveradditional parameters may be used or inputted to user device 450.

At step 904, a selected of a first pitch from presented list of pitchedmay be detected. Display 466 may, in some embodiments, be a touchscreen. A user may interact with display 466 by, for example, touchingdisplay 466 to select items or content displayed thereon. For example,user interface 410 may determine that a user has touched display 466 ina certain region corresponding to where a pitch, such as pitch 414, iscurrently being displayed. In response to determining that display 466has been touched or interacted with about the certain region where apitch is displayed, user device 450 may instruct display 466 to presentuser interface 410 including highlight 412 about pitch 414, indicatingto the user that that pitch has been selected.

At step 906, parameters for the pitch selected a step 904, may beobtained. For example, parameters, such a threshold values or ranges fora pitches velocity, horizontal displacement, vertical displacement,and/or spin rate, may be obtained from memory/storage 454 on user device450. In some embodiments, step 906 and step 904 may occur at asubstantially same time.

At step 908, the parameters obtained from memory/storage 454 on userdevice 450 for the selected pitch may be sent to ball 100. For example,once obtained, communications circuitry 456 may transmit the parametersto ball 100 using communications link 420. In some embodiments,communications link 420 may be established prior to sending theparameters obtained at step 906. However, in some embodiments,communications link 420 may be established in response to user deviceattempting to send parameters for a selected pitch to ball 100.

FIG. 16 is an illustrative flowchart of an exemplary process fordetermining a release point of a ball in accordance with variousembodiments. Process 1000 may begin at step 1002. At step 1002, one ormore pressure sensors within ball 100 may be monitored. For example,pressure sensors within ball 100 may detect when a user applies pressureto cover portions 102 a, 102 b.

At step 1004, the one or more pressure sensors within ball 100 maydetect that pressure has been removed from ball 100. For example, theone or more pressure sensors that are being monitored will detect thatpressure is no longer being applied to cover portions 102 a, 102 b. Insome embodiments, the one or more pressure sensors may detect whenpressure being applied to ball 100 has changed. For example, the one ormore pressure sensors may detect when a user has changed the orientationor amount of pressure applied to cover portions 102 a, 102 b.

At step 1006, outputs from IMU(s) 130 and/or accelerometer(s) 1006 maybe captured in response to detecting that pressure is no longer beingapplied to ball 100. For example, after the one or more pressure sensorsdetermine that pressure is no longer being applied to cover portions 102a, 102 b of ball 100, a signal may be sent to processor(s) 136 tocapture a reading of IMU(s) 130 and/or accelerometer(s) 132 at thatpoint in time.

At step 1008, a position of ball 100 may be determined based on thecaptured outputs from IMU(s) 130 and/or accelerometer(s) 132. Forexample, an amount of gravitational force on ball 100 may be determinedso that a height of ball 100 (e.g., above pitching mound 206) may bedetermined. Thus, a height of release of ball 100 may be detected forball 100 so that a pitcher throwing ball 100 is able to monitor theconsistency of their release point. Persons of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize that other parameters may be measured to determinelateral position of ball 100 in addition to a height above a pitcher'smound, such that a complete three-dimensional reconstruction of apitcher's release point of ball 100 may be ascertained.

FIG. 17 is an illustrative diagram of a system for tracking a ball beingthrown in accordance with various embodiments. System 1100 includes, insome embodiments, a first detection unit 1104 a and second detectionunit 1104 b. First detection unit 1104 a may be located proximate tohome plate 208 such that it is directed at pitcher 202 throwing ball100. Second detection unit 1104 b may be located proximate pitchingmound 206, and may be pointed at pitcher 202 perpendicular to thedirection that ball 100 will be thrown. Persons of ordinary skill in theart will recognize that any number of detection units 1104 a, 1104 b maybe included within system 1100, and the use of two detection units 1104a, 1104 b is merely exemplary.

In some embodiments, detection units 1104 a and 1104 b may be positionedat any suitable location such that detection units 1104 a and 1104 b mayanalyze and track path P of ball 100. For example, detection unit 1104 bmay be placed on either side of pitcher's mound 206 such that it maymonitor and/or track ball 100 when it is thrown along an x-y plane.Thus, detection unit 1104 b may track a horizontal motion of ball 100.Detection unit 1104 a may, in some embodiments, be placed behind homeplate or behind pitcher's mound 206 such that it may monitor and/ortrack ball 100 when it is thrown along a y-z plane. Thus, detection unit1104 a may track vertical motion of ball 100. Detection units 1104 a and1104 b may also include processing circuitry and communicationscircuitry such that they may process the motion information of ball 100and transmit that information to a user device, such as user device 450,to reconstruct and/or analyze the motion of ball 100 as it is thrown. Insome embodiments, the motion information obtained from detection units1104 a and 1104 b may be combined with rotational motion informationobtained from IMU(s) 130 within ball 100 to reconstruct and obtain datacorresponding to how ball 100 is being thrown.

Detection units 1104 a and 1104 b, in some embodiments, may includemotion tracking circuitry such as image capturing components operable tocapture images and/or video of ball 100 as it is thrown. In someembodiments, detection units 1104 a and 1104 b may include radartechnology such as Doppler and/or Sonar radar systems. However, personsof ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any other suitablemonitoring technology may be used within detection units 1104 a and 1104b, and the aforementioned is merely exemplary.

Detection units 1104 a and 1104 b may be mounted on any suitable standor tower. For example, detection unit 1104 a may be mounted on stand1102 a while detection unit 1104 b may be mounted on stand 1102 b.Stands 1102 a and 1102 b may be tripod stands made of a plastic orlow-weight metal such as aluminum. This may allow stands 1102 a and 1102b to be easily transportable. Detection units 1104 a and 1104 b may bemounted at a top end of stands 1102 a and 1102 b, and may be capable ofbeing removed or detached from stands 1102 a and 1102 b.

Each detection unit may be capable of capturing motion information alonga line of sight 1106. For example, detection unit 1104 a may capturemotion information of ball 100 along line of sight 1106 oriented along ay-z plane. This may enable detection unit 1104 a to capture verticalmotion information of ball 100 such that a user may be able to determinea change in vertical displacement of ball 100 along its path P. Asanother example, detection unit 1104 b may capture motion information ofball 100 along line of sight 1106 oriented along a x-y plane. This mayenable detection unit 1104 b to capture horizontal motion information ofball 100 such that a user may able to determine a change in horizontaldisplacement of ball 100 along its path P. However, persons of ordinaryskill in the art will recognize that additional detection units may beused within system 1100 which may be able to track motion along otheraxes, single axis, or at different positions. For example, a detectionunit may monitor horizontal motion information of ball 100 at a releasepoint proximate to pitcher 202, and another detection unit may monitorhorizontal motion information of ball 100 at a capture point proximateto catcher 204 and/or home plate 208.

It should be appreciated that the various embodiments described abovecan be implemented by software, but can also be implemented in hardwareor a combination of hardware and software. The various systems describedabove can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computerreadable medium. The computer readable medium can be any data storagedevice that can store data, and that can thereafter be read by acomputer system. Examples of computer readable mediums include read-onlymemory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, DVDs, magnetic tape, and opticaldata storage devices. The computer readable medium can also bedistributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the computerreadable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

The above described embodiments of the invention are presented forpurposes of illustration and not of limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a ball comprising: at leastone sensor; at least one first processor; and first communicationscircuitry; and a user device comprising: second communicationscircuitry; memory comprising at least one predefined value for each of aplurality of pitches; a display that displays the plurality of pitches;and at least one second processor operable to: determine that aselection of a type of pitch for the ball to be thrown as has been made;retrieve, from the user device's memory, the at least one predefinedvalue for the selected type of pitch; and send, using the secondcommunications circuitry, the predefined threshold values to the ball'sfirst communications circuitry.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the atleast one predefined value comprises at least one of: a spin rate forthe ball; and a velocity for the ball.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein: the display presents a user interface comprising a list of theplurality of pitches capable of being selected.
 4. The system of claim1, wherein the first communications circuitry and the secondcommunications circuitry are operable to communicate with one anothervia at least one of: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, cellular, and a hardwireconnection.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the ball is operable tosend an output from the at least one sensor to the user device using thefirst communication circuitry.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the atleast one second processor of the user device is further operable to:display the output within a user interface presented on the display; andstore the output in memory.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the ballfurther comprises: at least one indicator.
 8. The system of claim 7,wherein the at least one indicator comprises at least one of: at leastone illuminating element; at least one transmitter; and at least oneaudio producing element.
 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the at leastone indicator comprises at least one illuminating element, the at leastone second processor of the user device is further operable to: provideinstructions to the ball to turn a first color in response to the atleast one sensor of the ball detecting that the predefined thresholdvalue has been exceeded.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the ballcomprises one of: a baseball; and a softball.
 11. A system, comprising:a ball comprising: at least one sensor; at least one first processor;and first communications circuitry; a first detection unit operable totrack the ball along a first plane, the first detection unit locatedproximate a release area for the ball; and a second detection unitoperable to track the ball along a second plane, the second plane beingperpendicular to the first plane, and the second detection unit beinglocated proximate to a receiving area for the ball.
 12. The system ofclaim 11, wherein: the first detection unit further comprises: firstmotion tracking circuitry; and second communications circuitry; and thesecond detection unit further comprises: second motion trackingcircuitry; and third communications circuitry.
 13. The system of claim12, wherein the first motion tracking circuitry and the second motiontracking circuitry comprise at least one of: a Doppler radar; a Sonarradar; and image capturing circuitry.
 14. The system of claim 11,further comprising: a user device comprising: fourth communicationscircuitry; memory; a display; and at least one second processor.
 15. Thesystem of claim 14, wherein the at least one second processor isoperable to: receive first outputs from the at least one sensor on theball; receive second outputs from the first detection unit and thesecond detection unit regarding a motion of the ball; and reconstruct aflight of the ball based on the received first and second outputs.